Being 17, I dont think the permit "restrictions" would last too long... haha

Does he do any fall sports?

Being 16 also... If I didn't have this hobby uhh I would like a hot looking girl :oops: :lol: Ok, he will look at you like an idiot the first time for a few seconds but if you leave them alone and after a few hours he comes back he will love you for sure!

An Iphone would be awesome too yes, but too expensive. Or maybe you could buy him some shoes? (LET HIM CHOOSE WHICH SHOES! It will end in a disaster if you buy them without asking lol) Shoes aren't that expensive, right? Or euhh.. a football a soccerball? Something like that? Or uhm... a cool gadget or something that isn't too expensive.

Well, good luck buying something for him! :mdr:

Actually, you should be able to pick up 8gb iPhone 3G's (not the new 3GS) from AT&T stores for $99 (new contract, or if he is upgrade eligible if you already are on AT&T - even if he is eligible, there is an $18 upgrade fee - if he's not eligible then it's a few hundred bucks more and therefore not worth it).

However, the cost of the Phone isn't what kills you with the iPhone, it's the agreement in the contract that forces you to pay the $20/month data fee (which does not include any texts at all) on top of whatever plan you have. The data alone becomes $480 over the 2yr contract.

My parents have both moved to corporate-provided cells so I'm the only one left on our plan with AT&T. I have an iPhone 3G 16gb (got it the day it was released last year) and it costs me $80/month. $40 for 450 minutes, $20 for unlimited text, and $20 for the data. Expensive as hell if you ask me - thank god my parents float that bill...

So, if you can live with the monthly fee, then an iPhone might not be too bad if you can get him the 8GB 3G for 100 bucks, though personally I'd opt for the 16gb 3GS for $200. The 3GS is way faster and has a few extra features that make the iPhone more complete. Basically, if you take all the complaints about the 3G and 99% of them, you have the 3GS. Those would be video, better quality camera, faster processor, voice command, and a few other small things.

Maybe with all this crap I convinced you to get one for yourself?

Does he have a game console? If he does, that may be a perfect starting point. You can buy him a few new games he might of mentioned, or if he's anything like my friends, you can buy him a new shiny controller or two (along with the games) - my friends go through controllers like crazy...

If he doesn't have a PS3, you can opt to get him the new PS3 slim. It's only 299 off amazon and has free shipping. He'd probably appreciate that. Kind of on the pricier side but it's a hell of a deal for what used to be $400 a week ago and was $600 when it came out.

you could get em a really nice case for his ipod or some new pencils for school

Use that free Maxim code and send him some Maxims!

Best idea yet and its FREE.

Dont get him a iTunes gift card it will be a waste of money. Thats what Limewire is for.

Get him a prepaid cell phone. :lol:

I'm 16.. I've got an ipod and a phone. (although it's a POS) I've had a license/vehicle for a couple years now, but that's South Dakota for ya. If all of his friends have licences/vehicles, that would probably be thing he wants most. It sucks having to get rides everywhere knowing you could drive.

It's really hard to say what a 16 year old would want. If someone asked me what I want for a gift, I wouldn't be able to come up with anything. Maybe some spending money? For my B-day I got a new ping pong paddle with some spending moeny. That was nice.

I'm not sure what kind of finacial house/neighborhood you're in but maybe an old car would make his day. Say he's got 3k and he gets to pick out a car. He will be on cloud 9.

It depends on the person with all of those electronics. I'm fine with my PS2 I play maybe once a month. Some people want all the latest ipods, gaming systems, and cell phones. Maybe it's just a South Dakota thing...

Im with you there. I could care less about all that crap. Hell I still rocking a prepaid cell phone. For as much as I use one its perfect. $15 a month. Screw that texting junk. Never done that in my life. Actually cant tell you how to type on a phone with numbers on it. lol

I want to add that the more expensive the gift is, you should let them pick it out. Things like cell phones, laptops, video games, cars,,, anything where one brand is better then another. Give them some money or tell them you'll buy it for them and let them pick it out. There's nothing worse then getting a slow crappy laptop or a POS cell phone.

How about a subscription to a magazine so he can lock himself in his room:lol: RC mag of course

When I was that age i wanted to get out more, maybe organise a camping, fishing, hunting or road trip.

Get him interested in money and say you've got some money to invest in shares. It's his money then so he'll want to study up and not lose it. 'Blue chip shares' are reasonably safe but this idea may not be profitable enough to be interesting.

Something that requires a portion of responsibility. Like a dog but at that age he might be over the pet thing.

Just read OP so I guess the road trip is out. Is he interested in water sports, a new wake board? Or a joy flight in an ultralight? Bungee jumping or skydive? Joy ride in a rally car?

I know there's nothing here that can be related to school in any way but I was farily uninterested in school.

Time is always a great gift. Take him out to Outback Steakhouse or some place he likes, just the two of you. I remember and appreciate individual time spent with my dad way more than any gifts he ever gave me.

I hear bus fare is pretty reasonable these days.... nothing says love like a one-way ticket to Detroit.

I'm not a parent, that might be obvious...

Get him some speakers for his ipod if he doesnt have them.

I read all of what you said and get it, what he wants not what I want to get him, time with him, a memory not just a fogotten gift.. Being pretty broke these days I came up with this. Used my American Airlines FF miles for 2 (economy boo) tickets to California. Late September (guess hes missing some school) My sister lives in Newport and said we could crash at her pad for the week. My friend said he still has my old 5'8" rusty and my 8'4" rusty boards I left with him when I moved to NYC (says they are worse for wear but I haven't surfed in 6 years anyway). He always said he wanted to learn to surf (and see the ocean poor kid has never been in the ocean) and some 1 on 1 time and a steak somewhere should be the bonding experience. Cool ? better than my idea of an Itunes card LOL . A memory for him and learn about his pseudo dads upbringing. Ill probably be selling one of my trucks soon for food for the trip LOL.. Thanks for your help

Thats a great idea for a gift, and definitely one he'll remember I'm sure. :yes: Good thinking!